A NEW boss has been appointed to get HS2 completed.
Mark Wild has been appointed as the new chief executive of HS2 Ltd to get the high-speed railway finished and help realise its transformational benefits.
Mark brings almost four decades-worth of experience to the role, including a record in the successful delivery of complex railway systems – the alignment of tracks, train, power, signalling and communications – most notably as the chief executive of Crossrail.
Mark has joined the company as civil engineering works along the route from London to the West Midlands reach their peak and focus has moved to building the infrastructure to operate the railway.
This new appointment forms part of a series of reforms across the project aimed at bearing down on costs and safely delivering the scheme on time, in line with recent scope changes announced by the Government.
Mark was selected following a rigorous recruitment process overseen by the HS2 Ltd board and led by Sir Jon Thompson, executive chair, with backing from Mark Harper, the Secretary of State for Transport.
Mark Wild said: “I look forward to leading HS2 as it progresses from major construction works to its rail systems phase and beyond to the first passenger services.
“The scale and ambition of HS2 is phenomenal and will deliver wide-reaching benefits for the UK through more jobs, economic growth and better journeys.”
Mark’s start date is yet to be confirmed.
His arrival follows the departure of Mark Thurston who led HS2 Ltd for six-and-a-half years up to the end of September, 2023.
Sir Jon will continue in his current position as Executive Chair until Mark’s arrival, when he resumes his previous role as HS2 Ltd Chair.
Sir Jon said: “Mark joins HS2 Ltd with unrivalled experience and a track record of successful delivery, giving confidence that he will drive this hugely complex programme to completion – providing more reliable and faster services for rail users, while boosting the economies of the West Midlands and London.”
